Human Environment Digest

May 15, 2014

Welcome to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Human Environment weekly email digest. This digest shares the latest information from a range of Federal and non-Federal sources, addressing transportation and its relationship to the human environment. Through this information exchange, FHWA hopes to foster dialogue at all levels and continue to further the state of the practice on these important topics.

For more information on any of these topics, see the FHWA Related Links on the sidebar.

*The information provided in this mailing does not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Highway Administration or the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Bicycle/Pedestrian

The U.S. Census Bureau has released its first-ever report on biking and walking to work. This report highlights annual American Community Survey (ACS) information on biking and walking and offers new information about these travel modes for specific populations. According to the report, biking to work has increased by 60 percent in the past decade.

NHTSA Releases "2012 Pedestrians Traffic Safety Fact Sheet"

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a fact sheet that summarizes the number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the United States in 2012.

Community Impact Assessment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released EnviroAtlas, a web-based interactive tool that integrates over 300 separate data layers, helping decisionmakers understand the implications of planning and policy decisions on ecosystems and the communities who depend on them. EnviroAtlas is designed to help decisionmakers understand the benefits or impacts of a decision, such as siting a new road or city park.

Economic Development

Senate Committee Introduces 6-Year Transportation Bill

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee introduced a bi-partisan bill that would authorize 6 years of U.S. highway programs and improve transparency of the Highway Trust Fund. It will be discussed publicly at a committee meeting on May 15, 2014.

EPA Announces $3.6 Million in Environmental Job Training Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 18 grantees that will receive approximately $3.6 million through the Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) program. The grants fund training programs that provide unemployed and under-employed, including veterans, minority, and predominately low income individuals, with the comprehensive skills and certifications needed to enter full-time careers in the environmental field.

Environmental Justice

"Fair Mobility: Make no small gestures"

Karel Martens, Associate Professor at the Institute for Management Research at Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen in the Netherlands, explains why he thinks transportation policy should be based on the principles of environmental justice. Martens will publish a book in 2015 titled 'Transportation planning based on principles of justice.'

Health

EPA Requests Applications for "Air, Climate and Energy (ACE) Centers"

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, posted a Request for Applications for Air, Climate and Energy (ACE) Centers. EPA is interested in enabling the effective implementation of air pollution control strategies to achieve the greatest public health benefits by reducing exposure to harmful air pollution

Livability

EPA Announces Funding Availability for Integrated Stormwater Planning

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Wastewater Management announced the availability of $335,000 in technical assistance for communities seeking technical support to develop an integrated planning approach to meeting Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements for municipal wastewater and stormwater management.

Partnership for Sustainable Communities

Live Webcast to Discuss Public Transportation Priorities in the GROW AMERICA Act

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx will provide kick-off remarks for a public webcast highlighting the transportation priorities and new programs in the Administration's four-year surface transportation proposal, known as the GROW AMERICA Act. The live webcast will be conducted by the Federal Transit Adnministration (FTA) and may be viewed online.

Public Involvement

"RE-Powering America's Land" Draft Action Plan Available for Public Comment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) RE-Powering America's Land Initiative released a draft action plan for public input. The plan details specific activities over the next two years to support the development of renewable energy projects on contaminated lands. Comments are due by May 30, 2014.